St. Pete Standard

The City of St. Petersburg has opened applications for the upcoming cohorts at the Mayor's Future Ready Academy. Applications will be accepted until November 4, allowing interested candidates to submit their qualifications within this period. The academy, initiated by Mayor Kenneth T. Welch, provides residents with practical work experience and academic learning to prepare them for essential roles in city departments.

Following Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the program offers paid training opportunities for those who may have lost employment due to these events.

The 18-week program requires a commitment of 40 hours per week, divided into eight-hour days from Monday to Friday. Participants will receive four hours of instruction at Pinellas Technical College (PTC) and four hours of on-the-job training across various city departments including Parks and Recreation, Sanitation, Stormwater, Pavement, Traffic Operations, and Water Resources. The academy is set to begin on January 21, 2025, concluding with a graduation ceremony on May 5, 2025.

Participants will earn an hourly wage of $15.99 and are eligible for city health insurance. They will also receive credit toward retirement benefits and accrue paid time off. Additionally, participants can access the Employee Rental Assistance Program.

Further details about the Mayor's Future Ready Academy and application procedures are available at stpete.org/FutureReady.